my silly question of the day....

[thepopela]

How do i get my chickens to eat the oyster shell i put down for them, tried mixing it with the layers pellets but they seem to just eat around it?

[Glutton4...]

Just leave it there, in a tub of it's own, and they'll help themselves when they need it.

[Nicos]

I've noticed that sometimes they prefer the finer pieces ( I smash my own shells)....might be worth bashing them a bit with a stone or rolling pin to offer the a more varied shell size to peck at.
I serve mine separately too ( AKA chuck some on the floor!)

[winstonwobble]

They will eat what they need when they need it so dont worry

[Flummery]

I scatter it with a bit of mixed corn in the evenings and they seem to eat it up then. I certainly don't find great wodges of it when I clear out the hemp bedding every so often.

[jessmorris]

I have banties so they have the fine stuff. I just leave a saucer of it by the bestbox and they eat it when they need it.........................incendatally, even though they are free range, they love the fine flint grit I give them, as do my Peke growers....

[thepopela]

Ah, thanks very much, will put it in a seperate tub then and see how that goes. Cheers all!

[motherhen]

Maybe they don't need oyster shell are their egg shells thin? they should have grit available at all times as they do not have teeth and need this ton process food especially if they are on grass, flint grit is best.